Will many employers consider you without references?

the_donchichio

Opinion wrote: »

Wouldn't phase me too much as long as you could explain why. I've given jobs to people with no or even 'bad' references- people deserve a second chance, as long as they're honest. Thankfully it hasn't stung me in the ar*e thus far.

Its all good and well being a samaritan but the highly saturated environment that is the competitive uk workscene does not give you chances as those...lets be honest, companies will look at references as an assurance or proven history in some aspects and you need to be fully loaded in all areas to get employed tbh

seven-day-weekend

I got back into full-time work with a reference from my pastor, who had known me for ages, plus I'd also done some volunteer walk for the church, and also a reference from a friend who is a doctor.

I'd stick with your charity work for a while, and get a reference from them. To an employer that will show an element of commitment.

James_B.

the_donchichio wrote: »

After two weeks, you could have a vague idea if someone is either incompetent, hardworking, motivated, punctual, good communicator/listener and friendly...surely they deserve a reference after two or three weeks of getting paid nothing

It's quite possible that in this case the OP's employer has formed the same opinion of him as many on here have, and simply does not want to refuse outright or to tell the truth in the reference.

kingslayer

Well I can find time for other volunteer work. I was looking at volunteering for a homeless charity. The homeless charity wanted someone to bring awareness to the issue in the area, and in general. I sent off an application, so have to wait and hear back.

makeyourdaddyproud

kingslayer wrote: »

Well I can find time for other volunteer work. I was looking at volunteering for a homeless charity. The homeless charity wanted someone to bring awareness to the issue in the area, and in general. I sent off an application, so have to wait and hear back.

You might get considered more easily for care work as there is a recruitment crisis - however the pay is low and the hours are long.

Care is almost a growth industry with a good career path (you might get sponsored for NVQ's), and I would say with the populace growing older on average, there will be plenty of jobs about.

Ignore the naysayers regarding references, I have been 3 years without work (my choice), and I will be in the same boat as you. Do I give a damn what MSE trolls say about 'old' or 'spent' references or whether a previous appointment begs a perfect ending, the answer is a big fat NO.

Best of luck.

Slinky

Spider_In_The_Bath wrote: »

You could look at the volunteering as something that is not altruistic. So you are not doing this to help others, but to help YOU. If you look at it this way then it is worth doing.

To get a great reference, not just a reference, you need to show enthusiasm and bring as much as you can to the job.

- Start off by asking someone to mentor you. Get them to map out a learning plan and work though it with them. Look at cash handing, stock control etc. See if there are any online courses that can back up your new knowledge.

- Find projects to do and suggest them. Can you try and increase sales, paint the changing rooms, alter and improve the layout, set up emails templates, a facebook page etc? Plan, document and be in charge of each project and then go through your learning outcomes from each project with your mentor. Document what you did for interviews and cvs

It may just be a noddy job to you, but you can get a lot out of this if you are starting from nowhere. Only you can improve your own skills. Working on projects should also make things more interesting during the time you are at work.

^^^^ what he said

usefulmale

This reference business is a little redundant really, considering a new employee has just about no rights for two years and an employer can just sack them without notice.

LittleVoice

usefulmale wrote: »

This reference business is a little redundant really, considering a new employee has just about no rights for two years and an employer can just sack them without notice.

!!!!!!!!!


So you would hire anyone, two months down the line discover they have had their fingers in the till, and dismiss them instantly because you could.


When applying a reference policy requiring satisfactory references before that person started could have prevented the losses because the recruit had been dismissed for dishonesty in the past.

Nada666

the_donchichio wrote: »

And why on gods green earth would your current volunteering boss hold out on references??? That's a bummer

Because they believe in honesty rather than cynical, meaningless rubber-stamping?

the_donchichio

Nada666 wrote: »

Because they believe in honesty rather than cynical, meaningless rubber-stamping?

Or treating honest, hardworking individuals without the respect they so deserve( depending on your perspective mind)